It's funny how other countries already have be in planning for future editions.

Five Central American teams competed in the U14 COCABA Championship in El Salvador with Costa Rica and the hosts besting Guatemala, Panama, and Honduras to qualify for a future U15 Centrobasket tournament.

A conservative guess that 6 of last year's gold-medal winning U16 team are locks to make the team leaves the remaining 166 players trying for at most, 6 spots. Dancers at an open audition on Broadway get more of a look than most of these girls will get.

Where does USAB get its money? Because they sure like to waste a lot of it. Paying transportation, room and board for well over 100 young girls who have no chance of making a team. Doing the same for college players who are known to be unavailable for other USAB teams.

River Baldwin– 2019 – 6-5 – Post – Andalusia, Alabama– Florida State verbal…Has always had the size and frame…Ability is there to run the floor…Utilizes strength to obtain and hold position in the low post…Not afraid of contact and goes up strong…Does alter her shot to get it off rather than just taking the foul and going to the line at times…Has a good shot fake she could call on more often…Active cutter block to block or high to low…Perimeter form is there but the shot can be flat at times…Battles defensively…Decent agility allows her to stay between and contest shots both down low and defending the elbows or trail…Works hard on the glass…Quick with the outlet

Fran Belibi– 2019 – 6-1 – Forward – Centennial, Colorado– Stanford commit…Shaping up to be a “true” power forward…Despite being a senior still young as a player…Explosive athlete…Elevates both to score and on the boards…First step has always been strong but is applied with good reads and intent…Physical strength is beyond most with her fame…Doesn’t just rely on physical tools, strong work ethic and effort…Gets out in transition and can run with the guards…Further refinement of interior attack will come…Perimeter form is evolving but still has an occasional forward action…Defensive approach is aggressive with no reservations about mixing things up…Rebounds with authority…Still just scratching the surface

Aliyah Boston– 2019 – 6-4 – Post – St. Thomas, Virgin, Islands– Imposing presence down low…Can establish and hold her post up against any defender among her peers…Continues to add to and sharpen her post repertoire…Spins off defenders at times…Wants the ball…Need to step to the pass at times when contested…Has improved her decisions and passing skills…Playing with more patience on the catch…Triggering the break but getting out and running the floor as well…Not the ball screen you want to run into as a defender…Aggressive defender herself…Can move her match up off the block or up the key…Impacts play on both ends…The one you want to play with…not against

Cameron Brink– 2020 – 6-4 – Forward – Beaverton, Oregon– Added length…Build is still lean but doesn’t shy away from contact…Additional strength will be an asset in the future…Agility is on display more and more…Form and touch are there on the perimeter forcing opposing bigs to close out and become vulnerable…Creating her own looks off short drives and pull ups…Will take it baseline into traffic…Gets out quickly and makes herself an option in transition…Can post up and finish down low…Reads well on the catch and can find open options passing out…Length makes her a factor on the defensive end as does lateral footspeed for size…Again, added strength will be a plus down the road

Samantha Brunelle– 2019 – 6-2 – Forward – Ruckersville, Virginia– Notre Dame verbal…Continues to add to the depth and versatility in her game…Tools are there to score herself or improve and exploit teammates options…Plays with an expanded awareness…Consistency waivers at times but range and touch keep defenders honest…Major asset both shooting or passing from the trail spot in transition…Just as content to deliver the ball as take it herself…Good vision and vocal on the defensive end of the floor…Length is an asset both contesting or getting a hand on passes…Comes up with boards among bigger opponents…Finds her perimeter teammates quickly with the outlet to start the break…Brings maturity and USA experience to the floor

Paige Bueckers– 2020 – 5-11 – Guard – St. Louis Park, Minnesota – One of the more consistent top performers at the trials…Makes plays off both skills and instincts…Mixes her attack between penetration and an effective pull up…Off the drive delivered some lethal interior passes as the bigs came her way…Changes direction at full speed in transition…Keeps her dribble off the hesitation exploiting defenders reactions…Slender build doesn’t inhibit her in traffic or finishing around the rim…Protects the ball going up…Active defender…Takes chances at time but sees the ball from the weakside and anticipates well…Has the natural knack and intuitive game that you can’t coach

Alli Campbell– 2020 – 6-0 – Guard – Altoona, Pennsylvania– Had some ups and downs throughout the trials but made impressive plays at the right time…Reads the floor as well as anyone…Makes herself a factor in the halfcourt as well as out on the break…Shot is right out front but the touch and release are there to make her a legitimate and proven threat on the wing…Plenty of range is there as an asset too…Showing some added size and additional strength since last summer…Attacks the rim off early entry passes in transition…Understands numbers and defensive rotations for solid shot/pass decisions…Uses that same awareness herself on the other end…Takes a good cushion on close outs against the ultra-quicks…Continues to be a contributor even if the shot is cold on occasion

Zia Cooke– 2019 – 5-9 – Point Guard – Toledo, Ohio– In command on the floor…Things happen when she’s attacking…Ballhandling has become even more intuitive but does get sloppy on occasion against assertive on ball defenders…Always classified as more a scorer than a shooter but the stroke and range always force defenders to respect her on the catch anywhere in the halfcourt…Slowly evolving back to the role she played a year ago with the U16 Gold Medal team…Shared the ball off penetration more and more as the trials went on…Getting to the rim has not been a problem to create both shots and passes…Elevation is exceptional off the drive and provides good looks even with defenders rotating her way…Quick hands and feet on the defensive end make her an impact defender at times…Tools are there to be dominant tip to buzzer

Azzi Fudd– 2021 – 5-11 – Point Guard – Arlington, Virginia– Depth of her game continues to improve…Not content to let the momentum in her game or skills stagnate…Combination of size and skills makes her a challenge to defend…Pushing the ball at opportunity…Plays with an advanced understanding of the teammates she’s on the floor with…Mixed up perimeter and interior options of her own…Has shown an interest in getting to the rim more and more…Handles contact well and gets the ball off against physical opposition…Eyes are constantly surveying the floor…Talented scorer but aware and willing to give it up as better possibilities evolve…On ball defense is becoming more aggressive and containing…Taking away options and making her match-up work for everything

Aubrey Griffin– 2019 – 6-1 – Guard – Ossining, New York– Not a surprise but certainly an impressive effort from start to finish…Smooth, fluid and athletic at the guard spot…No residual appearance of knee issues…Scored in a variety of ways…Changed speed off the drive and got defenders out of their stance or lunging…Nice elevation and touch come with her floater off penetration…Somewhat upright at times but confident going both ways…Quiet production but consistent performer…Measured approach on defense helps her utilize size and reach…Sees the floor on both ends…Made plays

Hannah Gusters– 2020 – 6-5 – Post – DeSoto, Texas– Making the most of her first appearance at the USA Trials…Combines size, strength and advancing skills…Has progressed at a constant and steady pace…Works hard down low but can make plays in the high post as well…Playing with more confidence each time out…Reads are now becoming reactions and proving to be consistent productivity…Baby hook is a challenge to contest and getting called upon more often…Gets up and down the floor challenging other bigs to dig a little deeper…Can hold her ground defensively…Imposing presence as a weakside defender…Contributes at an elite level

Jordan Horston– 2019 – 6-0 – Combo – Columbus, Ohio– Probably the most versatile player in Colorado Springs…Legitimate size with advanced backcourt skills…Throw in exceptional speed and quickness and you’ve an opposing coach’s nightmare…Wants the ball and wants to make things happen…Gets into the paint virtually at will…Can finish at the rim but elevates for the pull up or pass more often than not…Could actually look for her own scoring more to force defenders into a corner…Ultimate asset in the transition game…Actually faster with the ball than many defenders are without…Rises above the crowd…Perimeter shot is getting there…Release is still off forehead to a degree but consistency is coming…Vertical and length make her a force on the boards from the perimeter…Tools are there to be an impact defender with reach, lateral footspeed and instincts

Rickea Jackson– 2019 – 6-2 – Forward/Wing – Detroit, Michigan– Consistent play at the highest level start to finish…Continues a strong spring and summer…Making plays in multiple ways…Can create her own options but sees the floor off the drive as well…Not affected by rotations with her own length and elevation…Changes direction well forcing bigger match-ups to have to get on their heels to recover…Sound form and smooth stroke get the benefit of that same vertical to provide clean looks at the rim…Large part of her offensive attack is the result of her defensive effort…Makes picks and goes coast to coast to convert…Quickness and wingspan allow her to force high floating passes teammates can pick…Defensive tools are there to match up #1 – #4…Game changer on both ends of the floor

Haley Jones– 2019 – 6-1 – Guard/Wing – Santa Cruz, California– Another elite representative of “versatility”…Has both length and speed…Combines with a fluid athleticism making her a factor in full and halfcourt…Skills are sharp but magnified even more by an impressive understanding of what’s going on around her…Well coached…Consistent and “level” emotional approach…Not too high on positive, no overreaction to bad…Creating options off the drive as she has in the past…The pull up is second choice to the penetrate and pass…Sees the floor in transition and off the drive in the halfcourt…Crossover and hesitation look even sharper…Form and stroke are sound but base is narrow on her jumper…Calculated defensively…Anticipates one and two passes away…Shows depth in every aspect of the game

Charisma Osborne– 2019 – 5-9 – Guard – Moreno Valley, California– Played some of her best basketball…Speed is deceptive because of the “smooth” approach to her attack…Utilizes both ballskills and ball fakes to get defenders off balance and out of position…Hesitation is serving her well…First step leaves opponents scrambling to recover or calling or help…Can take it all the way to rim or is just as comfortable pulling up in mid-range…Small twist dropping the left foot on her jumper could impact consistency at times…Still knocks down her share…Strength is surprising for size…Good presence on the glass for a guard…Getting more and more physical as an assertive on ball defender…Not an “invitee” but among the elite in the trials

Angel Reese– 2020 – 6-2 – Forward – Randallstown, Maryland– Easily one of her most impressive performances to date…Confidence is at an all-time high…Added size and strength contribute to an already depth of skills…Producing around the rim as well as effectively off the high post drive…Comfortable improving her own looks or those of teammates…Perimeter shot is still a work in process but coming along…Confidence is there to be a threat from the elbows or trail spot…Becoming more active off the ball and occupying helpside defenders…Rebounding with more and more physicality…Length and athleticism allow her to be a versatile presence on the defensive end

Celeste, Taylor– 2019 – 5-11 – Guard – Valley Stream, New York– Texas commit…Roller coaster for an elite guard…Rims were frosty from perimeter and off the drive…Still continued to attack and made herself a factor on the break or in the halfcourt…First step has extraordinary length for a guard and extension to finish protects the ball from recovering defenders…Nice size and strength also challenge opponents who close out to take away the jumper…Has feisty confidence on the defensive end…Competes and contests…Will put a body on her opponent all the way to the rim…Frustration was obvious but never let up or changed her game

Hailey Van Lith– 2020 – 5-9 – Point Guard – Wenatchee, Washington– Attacking and skilled point guard…Lower body strength is exceptional for a player her size…Sound speed but elite quickness…First step off ballhandling moves creates both separation and options for her…Lefthander that can get to the rim or pull up on a dime…Change of speed and hesitation are the go to elements in her attack…Quick release is there from the jumper, pull up or floater…Simply put, can score the ball…Gets it off in traffic when penetrating…Step back covers plenty of ground to get off the long ball…Can be score first mentality at times but ultimately still remains productive…Works on the defensive end and attempts to anticipate with both hands and feet…Came up with some strips but also gave up penetration on several occasions…Effort and execution

The six NOT making the final cut were:
River Baldwin
Alli Campbell
Aubrey Griffin
Hannah Gusters
Rickea Jackson
Angel Reese

Strong team, except I've never beheld any magic in Celeste Taylor, whom I've seen in person. In general, I'd take Aubrey Griffin over her, assuming Griffin's knee is 100% healed. Of course, I have no idea how they showed out in these trials.

I think that there are three players on non-USA teams playing high school here in Maya McArthur (Dana Hills, CA) for Japan, Maria Alvarez (Miami Country Day, FL) for Colombia, and Madison Hema (Castle View, CO) for New Zealand, but please let me know if there are others.

I've been following most of the games on YouTube sans any volume thanks to Tim Fudd and his damn air horn. Seriously, what the hell is wrong with him? The lack of consideration demonstrated by him for his daughter, family, the athletes, the fans, its crazy.

This is one of the the most talented U15-17 USAB teams I've seen -- more potential talent than some WNBA teams and more interesting to watch. For example, the HoopGurlz current #1 players in 2019 and 2020, Samantha Brunelle and Cameron Brink, appeared to be 11th and 12th on the depth chart for the first two games.

The starters in those games have been Aliyah Boston, Haley Jones, Jordan Horston and the puportedirishlock backcourt duo of Paige Bueckers and Azzi Fudd. I found it very interesting that Fudd brings the ball up court on every play with Bueckers, a great passer, playing off the ball. When Haley Van Lith is in the game with Fudd and/or Bueckers, she brings the ball up court.

I'll comment on more individual players in later posts, but Fran Belibi could be Osisteresque around the basket for Stanford, keeping in mind that there's not yet any empirical evidence from these games that she shoots from beyond three feet.

I really like the game of Haley Jones, who is now ranked #1 in 2019 by Prospects Nation and #2 by HoopGurlz and Blue Star. She plays with economy of motion, efficiency and great awareness, from all positions on the court. And she has great touch (which 2017's #1, Megan Walker, does not). The only thing I'm not sure about her game yet is whether she is a serious three-point threat.

Celeste Taylor is playing much better with great talent around her than I witnessed on her high school team, where she annoyed me with a lot of chucking and missing. She integrates well with her talented teammates and is playing smart.

I'm still puzzled as to why Carla Berube has Azzi Fudd bringing the ball up court on every play instead of Paige Bueckers. To me, Bueckers has passing magic. So far, even though she never controls the ball, Bueckers is out-assisting Fudd 19-6. Meanwhile, Fudd is proving to be the better outside shooter. So, why does the better shooter and not the better passer bring the ball up court?